Maimanov Nikolai (Kara) Amyrchinovich (Russian: Майманов Николай (Кара) Амырчинович, pronounced [mɐj´manəf]; born 16 July 1956) is a Russian singer, Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, Honoured Artist of the Altai Republic.

Nikolai Maimanov was born on July 16, 1956 in the village of Kaspa in the Oirot Autonomous Region (the Altai Republic). As a child, he attended the People's Theatre.

In 1979, he graduated from the Choir Conducting Department, the Barnaul Culture Education School. In 1984, Nikolai graduated from the Acting Technique Department of Krasnoyarsk State Institute of Arts (since 2018 – Dmitri Hvorostovsky Siberian State Academy of Arts). In 1991, he attended the advanced training courses of the Lenconcert Creative Workshop of Variety Art.

After graduating from university, he worked at the National Drama Theatre. In 1986, he became an artist of the National Ensemble Altai, in 1995 – a soloist at the Philharmonic Society. The singer's repertoire is rich and varied: romances, Russian and Altai folk songs, variety songs. He can play such musical instruments as the guitar, komus, shoor, topshuur, ikili.

Maimanov has toured in Latvia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tuva, Khakassia, Turkey, and New Zealand.

He worked at the Altai National Drama Theatre (Gorno-Altaysk). His roles include Gabrielle and Bohm the clown (Interview in Buenos Aires by G. Borovik); Kalta (The Marriage of Abaiym by A. Adarov). He worked with such directors as K. A. Voshchikov, E. L. Gelfand, Yu. V. Lezingevich, V. A. Trushchenko, N. S. Shumarov.

Nikolai Maimanov performs as a singer at folk festivals (El Oiyn, Springs of Altai, etc.), participates in Republican events, regional activities, and projects dedicated to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. He sings at charity concerts for disabled people and veterans of the Republic, actively cooperates with educational institutions: he is the chairman of the jury at various contests held for young talents, provides creative youth with vocational guidance.

In 1998, for his high professionalism in performing arts, Nikolai Maimanov was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation. He was also awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Altai Republic, numerous letters of gratitude at the district and republican levels, as well as an Honorary Certificate of the Ministry of Culture of the Altai Republic (2006), an Honorary Certificate of the Altai Republic (2013). In 2016, Maimanov received the Tan Cholmon Order, the highest award of the Altai Republic.